Clear Favorite Emerges for Free-Agent QB Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold just put together the best season of his seven-year NFL career in 2024, earning his first Pro-Bowl selection as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings before the 2024 season. Through 17 regular-season games, the former No. 3 overall draft pick led Minnesota to a 14-3 record — completing 66.2% of his pass attempts for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Though Darnold's overall body of work in 2024 was impressive, he ended the year with some disappointing performances. The Vikings lost the NFC's No. 1 seed in a Week 18 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, then suffered another lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round.

The Vikings could exercise the franchise tag on Darnold to keep him around for the 2025 season. But if they don't make that move before the March 4 deadline, he will officially hit the free-agent market.

According to betting odds, one team stands above the rest as the favorite to land Darnold in 2025.

Bet365 gives the Las Vegas Raiders +200 odds to sign Darnold this offseason, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers (+250) and Minnesota Vikings (+325).

Here are the full betting odds for Darnold's next team:

• Radiers +200
• Steelers +250
• Vikings +325
• Jets +600
• Giants +800
• Titans +1400

ESPN NFL insider Matt Bowen agrees with these odds, naming the Raiders as the "best fit" for Darnold in his recent free-agent preview.

"With the transition to coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Raiders could finally solve their QB issue in free agency by signing Darnold. Las Vegas was 30th in QBR in 2024 (40.4), and Darnold's 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws for the Vikings both ranked fifth in the league. And in Vegas, Kelly could scheme for Darnold's arm talent, while also using his mobility to attack the edges," Bowen writes.

Darnold, 27, will play for his fifth NFL franchise in 2025 if he doesn't re-sign with the Vikings.